1] THE LOST PRINCE. 33

 

before. He saw your brother playing, and whether
from any old grudge against your family, or from a
naturally evil disposition, determined to kidnap him,
and did so accordingly, disguising himself as a puppy
until he had drawn the child some distance in pursuit
of him, and then suddenly resuming his own form,
and carrying off the astonished little fellow under his
arm. It was all the worse of him, because the poor
young Prince was too small to be of any use to him
in his coal-pits. Nor, indeed, am I certain that he
has ever been employed there. All I do know is
that, like many others, he is a captive in the Giant’s
kingdom, which can be entered with comparative
ease, but to leave which requires much care and some
little magical knowledge on the part of those who
wish to do so. You, my dear young ladies, will have
to seek your brother in that kingdom.’

The Princesses gave a start and a shudder at
these words, but the Dwarf continued with a smile:

‘There is no need to be afraid. You have power-
ful friends, and will, with proper attention to the
directions given you, overcome all the difficulties
before you. The King of the Islands and the Prince
of the River Country are my friends, and will, I know,
aid us, if necessary, with their full power. But, in the
first instance at least, cunning is more requisite than
strength. Pattle-perry himself is no match for many
others in magic. There is, however, a person called
Macklethorpe whom we have to fear more than the
Giant, whom he advises and aids. This fellow is,
like myself, of a respectable size, and not an over~
grown bulk of flesh like Pattle-perry, but this makes

D